Discovering America Podcast
175 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsThis podcast will be a history narrative collected from various sources. I will be covering the stories of events and people that played a part in creating America. My goal is to give the listener an entertaining dialog of history and walk away (or ear away) with a, “I didn’t know that”, feeling.
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Episodes
A request
August 21, 2018 03:19 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MBA quick update and couple requests to my listeners.
120-New England Expansion part two
August 03, 2018 03:58 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBThe New England settlers were still breaking away and creating new colonies. The behavior of Massachusetts was an ache in the side of King Charles II and New Haven wasn’t much better. To bring them back in line he created a rivalry and so Connecticut was given a charter. Did it work? I think when times were tough they stuck together. Such as when the Quakers started making their way across the ocean. The Quakers stood their ground and Charles II backed them up. Religious tolerance was coming...
119-New England Expansion
July 10, 2018 03:38 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MBAfter describing the colonization by the Dutch, I realized there was a lot movement by the English in New England, I wanted to further investigate their progress. What I found were groups breaking off to form their own colonies due to religious differences. These English colonists had established 50 settlements east of the Hudson River. There was so much more. They were writing constitutions or fundamental orders to set precedence of how they were to be governed. The start of a new nation ye...
118-Dutch Colonization part 7
June 08, 2018 03:03 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBThe Dutch could no longer maintain control of their holdings. The English had surpassed them in population numbers and the Duke of York wanted his territory. The unsettled European politics didn’t help matters. Pieter Stuyvesant was not willing to let go but, the civilian population was ready for a new government besides, many of the Dutch colonies had English among them. Good-bye New Netherland, hello New York.
117-Dutch Colonization part 6
June 02, 2018 03:34 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBWith the treaty of Munster in 1648, it gave the United Netherlands a new start from the control of the Spanish crown. The English and the Dutch had been always been on friendly terms, that was about to change. It didn’t help that the United Netherlands were not a tight confederation and there were contentions between the two parties. Most of the sea faring delivery of goods was made by Dutch vessels and added much to its wealth. The Dutch made a treaty with Denmark directed at hindering Engl...
116-Dutch Colonization part 5
April 26, 2018 18:17 - 58 minutes - 40 MBI start off by talking about the most successful Patroon; Killian Van Rensselaer yet he never saw his estate in America. The further travels of the director general, Pieter Stuyvesant, he did a great job for the company but, not for the people, and finally, the takeover of the Swedish territory by the Dutch.
115-Dutch Colonization part 4
April 07, 2018 17:03 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBThe choices for Director Generals over New Netherland were poor. Willem Kieft was only in the leadership position for himself and his relation with the Algonquin Indians was deplorable, created a war lasting two years. Their retaliation was devastating. I included a general history written by Author Frederick Jones covering the seven reasons the 3 nations of England, Holland and Sweden did not have an open conflict, disagreements but, no shots being fired. Now arrives Pieter Stuyvesant a bet...
114-Dutch Colonization part 3
March 14, 2018 03:50 - 46 minutes - 32.4 MBThe Dutch had a hard time increasing their colony populations, due to a couple of factors. Reputable people were not making the trip most likely because of the patroon system and the leaders of the New Netherland. Once Wouter Van Twiller was released from duty, he was replaced with someone who created more problems especially among the Indians, William Kieft. A new nation would settle in the lands, the Swedes, headed by Peter Minuit, a Dutchman and former director general of New Netherland. ...
113-Dutch Colonization part two
February 20, 2018 04:09 - 43 minutes - 30.3 MBThe Dutch had to contend with the English claims over American territory. In one form or another, the English laid claim to everything, maybe not so much with the French. It’s unfortunate that the Dutch claims were between those of the French and the English. Add to that the Dutch thought introducing a patroon system was a wise move, and finally a few mishaps with the Indians and placing not so wise Dutch governors in charge. How were the Dutch colonies going to survive?
112-Dutch Colonization
January 22, 2018 04:34 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBMany explorers had sailed down and mapped the eastern coast of America, each claiming for their sovereign nation a stretch of land. The English were complaining about the Dutch encroaching on English territory, setting up trading posts, and trading with the Indians. The Dutch organized the West India Company and through their charters, it began its side of expansion on American soil.
111-Massachusetts Colonies
December 28, 2017 04:04 - 39 minutes - 27 MBNew colonies were springing up all over New England. The Massachusetts Bay Company needed to keep an eye open to maintain its own legitimacy and legal patients. There was always someone bending the ear of the king. If one Puritan community didn’t agree with your beliefs, one could move to a different one, this included preachers.
110-Sir Ferdinando Gorges part three
November 29, 2017 03:47 - 30 minutes - 21.4 MBGorges was trying to gain COMPLETE control of New England. His latest scheme was to relinquish the present patents desiring King Charles I to reissue a series of new charters, eight to be exact. Each to be given to eight of his patentees, hoping these would be not considered an illegal arrangement by parliament. Well, the Massachusetts colonists did not take kindly to this underhanded approach to take over their hard work and freedoms. Gorges lost his right hand man, John Mason and along wit...
109-Sir Ferdinando Gorges part two
November 23, 2017 06:33 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBFor a time we find Gorges defying the orders of Admiral Thomas Pennington to allow French sailors to board English ships and sail off to fight for the French in a war the English captains wanted no part of. He was able to keep his head but, with a civil conflict between Royalty and the Parliament breaking out in England, his enemies made their thoughts known against him. Finally with this encounter behind him, he proceeded to lay the ground work for his realm.
108-Sir Ferdinando Gorges
November 10, 2017 04:54 - 48 minutes - 33.8 MBThere were many tied to the colonization efforts, I think none more than Captain John Smith and that of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. Through his patents acquired a substantial amount of North America land, even against the vocal discontent of the London Company. Gorges had the necessary royal pull on his side. England was not a quiet place, a war with Spain which would later involve France. Gorges helped where he could, mostly with his insight of what England must do to protect its sovereign lands...
107-Christopher Levett
October 03, 2017 03:39 - 34 minutes - 24.2 MBChristopher Levett was determined to make his mark on New England. Finally gaining a patent for 6000 acres, he turned to his friends in Yorkshire but, they didn’t have the same burning ambition that Levett embodied. Finally sailing off in 1623 after exploring and meeting with New England’s neighbors, he put his stamp near Portland harbor, a place he named York. Within the year 1624, the settlement was gone. Politics back in England such as they were, Levett never made it back to his “York”. ...
106-Plymouth Colony Continues On
September 18, 2017 03:57 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBThe Plymouth colony continues to grow and prosper. Bradford would on and off for the next several years act as their governor with others filling in as elected. What became the biggest problem was the paying down on the debt incurred by shipping supplies and people from Leyden. The beaver and otter skins trade was paying down money owed. It was the purchase of two ships, the Friendship and the White Angel that upset the adventurers or investors in England. The increase was above an acceptabl...
105-Plymouth Colony 1623-1625
August 29, 2017 04:08 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBBradford was a well respected Governor and was not allowed to retire. He and the colonists had to put up with what Weston’s group had done among the Indians and the Plymouth trouble makers John Lyford and Oldame passing letters filled with untruths back to England. Captain Standish led his group against a group of Indians who were planning to attack Weston’s group and Plymouth. Through all these mishaps the colony was progressing even though they did experience a six week drought.
104-Pilgrims Proving Themselves
August 06, 2017 22:26 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBWith the arrival of the Fortune, more colonists were added to Plymouth and not being well prepared, more of a hindrance than anything else. Next to show up is a group of adventurers posing to establish a new colony in Virginia. An unruly bunch counters to the civilized Puritans. The Puritans had demonstrated their worth in Indian relations and their husbandry of the land. Weston’s crowd was causing trouble with Indians and a headache for those of Plymouth. The Indian interpreter, Squanto pa...
103-Pilgrims Meeting the Neighbors
July 20, 2017 04:11 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBHalf of the original colonists made it through that first winter; they were still bound and determined to make a go of it. They had a valuable ally in the Indian interpreter, Tisquantum or called by Bradford, Squanto. He would introduce the colonists to their surrounding neighbors and relations were developing well. Massasoyt and many of his followers joined in with the colony’s first thanksgiving, and finally letters that were later sent home to encourage others to make the trip and join th...
102-Pilgrims Start Setting Up Shop
July 04, 2017 15:24 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBAfter a couple more ventures to pick that final spot, construction started on the Pilgrims new home. Many of these first colonists had already passed away from the cold. It was mentioned that this was a “mild” winter, what if it had been a normal one? They were finally visited by an Indian who knew the English people and spoke their language well, enough to give them a history of why so many fields and houses had been left empty. The years 1616-1619 were an absolutely terrible time period fo...
101-Pilgrims Searching for Ideal Spot
June 20, 2017 04:01 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBWhile the Mayflower sat anchored, many ventured forward searching for the perfect location to start a colony. Time was of the essence, winter was all around them and they must start building shelter or else the health and safety of many could be in jeopardy. Coasting and exploring the land of Cape Cod Bay, the brave party of men finally laid their eyes upon the land which would proof to be most advantageous for their new home.
100th Episode
June 13, 2017 04:27 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBTo celebrate my 100th episode, family and friends were directed to ask me questions about history. I tried to make the answers not so serious but, then history is a serious matter. Come listen to a question and answer episode and what makes the Discovering America podcast tick.
99-Starting Point for the Pilgrims
May 04, 2017 04:08 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBThe so-called pilgrims had to find a country where their Puritan beliefs could be practiced without persecution. The King of England had his own beliefs and his own supremacy of which must be followed and obeyed. The group made their way to the Low Countries and lived for a few years successfully. To start a new, in a new land, that would be the ultimate freedom. So starts the idea of sailing across the ocean for purpose of establishing a colony, which would be the perfect scenario. But, a ...
98-Pocahontas
April 11, 2017 03:29 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBSo I have here my own take on the life of Pocahontas, from the writings of John Smith, letters written and authors, Charles D. Warner and Williams Simms. No it is not like the movie so many have watched but, you say how could that be? I’m not going to go there. Enjoy.
97-John Smith the Writer
March 30, 2017 03:13 - 38 minutes - 26.9 MBAfter his accident, Smith returned to England, never to see Virginia again. During his down time and most likely recuperating form his injuries, he wrote and published in 1612, a descriptive book including a map about Virginia. Two years later he was ready to explorer more of the east coast of North America. He did a great job of mapping an area he would name New England, problem is nothing of great significant was found nor was the fishing enough to offset the cost of this voyage. The secon...
96-John Smith Keeping Order
March 17, 2017 04:19 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBJohn Smith had so much to contend with, settlers too lazy or it was beneath them to put out any labor to construct, plant, or do whatever else the colony needed instead, sold tools, arms and others items to the Indians for corn. This couldn’t continue and neither could the mutinous men who may have been conspiring with Powhatan. And then to see what at first was thought to be enemy ships, only to find out that England had sent over more people without regard on what the colony really needed....
95-John Smith Gathering Provisions
March 03, 2017 05:19 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBJohn Smith had to teach these “gentleman” from England what is was like to work a hard day’s labor. Work or starve that was the new motto and a necessary act if the colony was to feed itself. Presently, the provisions in the storehouse had not been properly stored. The English had no choice but to visit varies villages to force the Indians to make good on their promises to supply them with corn. It was soon evident that Powhatan had instructed his followers not to trade with them. So Smith t...
94-John Smith and the Chesapeake Bay
February 16, 2017 04:50 - 37 minutes - 26.2 MBBack from one voyage, he set off within three days to finish mapping and visiting with any and all who he came in contact with on the Chesapeake Bay. Many of the Indian tribes were not on friendly terms with each other; he brought many diverse chiefs together and together worked out terms for peace. This did not always happen some just like to shoot arrows at the approaching ship. With all the flying arrows not an Englishman was lost. Once back at Jamestown, Smith is elevated to president of...
93-John Smith and His Activities
January 27, 2017 04:02 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBJohn Smith was back at Jamestown but, like so many upstarts it needs to survive on its own. The colony still had to rely on the Indians for food. So far the relationship was congenial, to some extent. The Indians thought the world of English copper, and so what if a shovel came up missing. It’s when the stealing was blatant that Smith put his foot down and the outward challenge against him and others. After a visit from Pocahontas with a message from her father, Powhatan, peace and stolen it...
92-John Smith and Jamestown
January 17, 2017 04:57 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBAt first Smith was only a council member and arrived on American soil in chains, this would soon change and the charges were dropped but, he was not well liked by other council members. Smith would be captured by a powerful Chief named Powhatan. He was scheduled to be executed but, was saved by a young girl named Pocahontas, whereby gaining the respect from the chief and receiving needed supplies from his followers. Soon many of the people of the colony became sick and many died. Smith regai...
91 John Smith his Younger Years
January 04, 2017 05:15 - 47 minutes - 33 MBJohn Smith was a young boy when he began his life on the road. Although not a well taught school boy, what he experienced on the road you cannot learn from books. He grew into a strong and able fighter, some self-taught through reading and hard practicing. His survival, combat skills and others traits came from harrowing battles. This part describes his early years before the trip across the ocean.
Christmas message
December 24, 2016 17:44 - 2 minutes - 2.16 MBWishing you Happy Holidays and a Grrrrrreat New Year. Thanks for listening to the Discovering America Podcast.
90-Henry Hudson's Last Voyage
November 18, 2016 03:50 - 46 minutes - 32.4 MBThe lower global attempt proved a failure in the search for the Northwest Passage. The fourth voyage carried them to the cold climate once again. Traveling west right about Iceland, some of the crew had words aimed at Hudson but, against his better judgment the little ship continued on. Ice and rocks were a problem eventually, making their way up and around the land mass and sailing as far south as the continent would allow, wintering at James Bay. In the spring, the less honorable men had a...
89-Henry Hudson and his River
November 03, 2016 04:17 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThe ship, the Half Moon, sailed as far up the Hudson River as Waterford, New York. William and four other men rowed off to explore farther up the river to make sure there was enough depth for the ship. Well their findings were that the Half Moon had reached the furthermost point possible. Henry Hudson and the crew were visited by many Indians along their travels. Some were cordial and some were not. The third voyage was financed by the Dutch. Upon his arrival home the English were not too ha...
88-Henry Hudson
October 26, 2016 04:08 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBMen tried to find a shorter distance to the Orient by sailing north and then head east passing above Norway. The greatest obstacle was the ice barrier, a free open sea was not to be found and what about the cold climate? So the eastern direction was out of the question. Hudson headed west after the crew told him that was a good idea. Hudson’s third voyage finds him near Virginia and adding to the discovery of the river that bears his name. So John what’s the weather like?
87-Jean Nicolet
September 26, 2016 03:54 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBNicolet became very familiar with the northwest and not just the land, but its inhabitants. First living with the Algonquins for two years on Allumette Island and then spent 8 to 9 years with the Nipissing tribe located near Lake Nipissing. With so much experience with the Indian’s language, Champlain sent him on an expedition to push father into unknown territory, something Champlain was not able to do. “Hello, my name is Jean Nicolet, how do you do?”
86-Champlain the Final Scene
September 13, 2016 01:33 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBThe coasts were becoming quite the busy place and yet France still expected to have a monopoly of the trading business with the Indians at The Three Rivers, Montréal, and Tadoussac. And what about the many ports where the fisherman hung out? The territory was immense. The conflict with France and England didn’t help matters. Here comes the English strength laying claim to New France by the commander David Kirke along with his brothers Thomas and Louis Kirke in 1629. Champlain regained comman...
85-Champlain Prepares for the English
August 28, 2016 03:28 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBThe company never fulfilled its part of the bargain to supply needed provisions and manpower to keep the fort and settlement strong. Relations with the fathers of the cloth seemed to be progressing. Yet, unrest among the Indian tribes had started up again, not to mention the killings that had occurred without bringing the guilty to justice and discovering why such actions had happened in the first place. Champlain dug in and with his continued commitment used what resources were available to...
84-Champlain Keeping the Peace in New France
July 29, 2016 03:09 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBChamplain was in charge but, he needed the King and his Lord Montmorency to be on his side, once and for all, to set precedence upon the old and new companies involved in the fur trade. New France also needed people who were willing to put their heart and mind into this venture, so far not so well. Champlain now has a new Indian friend, Miristou or Mahigan Aticq, which meant wolf and stag. And with the two Iroquois peace makers, things may be looking up for New France.
83-Champlain Setting Up House
June 10, 2016 03:35 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBA major incident that could have upset the balance of New France was smoothed over with the sight and integrity of Champlain. Now if he could just get the cooperation of the traders and those in France, well he did have the support of the King and Duc de- Montmorency. His wife would now join him in Quebec. If only there was a Nordstrom here, my wife would be very happy.
82-Champlain and Another War
May 26, 2016 04:18 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBThis trip Champlain sails with 4 friars who start the process of building their new homes and chapels, with the intent of converting the Indians to Christianity. Champlain sets out to fulfill another promise of helping his Indian allies against the Iroquois. This time around he was late and the war party left without him. Along the way, he would visit many Indian villages cementing the friendship and trade that was so important to him. The war or minor engagement was a bust; they headed back...
81-Champlain Explores the Frontier
April 28, 2016 03:17 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBPoutrincourt was having trouble with the aristocrats in France, being forced to allow the Jesuits into his realm and trying to keep Port Royal to himself. Marquise de Guercheville had the means and the desire to save the souls of New France, take the land for herself and of course, profit from the fur trade. Champlain had connections with Count de Soissons, Charles de Bourbon and would stand behind his New France ambitions. He really wanted to witness the Northern Sea. A man by the name of N...
80-Champlain and His Progress
April 12, 2016 04:15 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBChamplain had to make good on his promises so, he set out with the Algonquin, Huron and Montagnais Indian tribes to battle the Iroquois, the firing of the French arquebuses un-nerved the Iroquois, and the battle was soon over. Once this was behind him, he set out to lay the groundwork for another settlement, La Place Royale - Montreal. Champlain wanted to experience the unknown lands of these Indian tribes, so building a friendship with these people was important, so far so good. Does anyon...
79-Champlain Creates the Colony of Quebec
March 31, 2016 03:53 - 34 minutes - 24.2 MBDe-Monts’ commission extended his monopoly of the fur trade for one more year, and so two ships were fitted out at the port of Honfleur. Pontgrave’s trading post at Tadoussac was still holding on. The Basque fur traders were trading with the Indians and were not inclined to honor his piece of paper from the king of France about the fur trade. Champlain heads down the St. Lawrence to create a most wonderful colony, Quebec. So how is the fishing here?
78-Champlain Explores the Coast
March 11, 2016 00:03 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBPoutrincourt was driven to make sure his little trading post at Port Royal would continue to flourish. Champlain was still on the look-out for that perfect location to start his new colony. He would explore again Nauset Harbor, Cape Cod Bay and a little bit beyond. His crew paid a visit to many Indians, noting their customs and living conditions, not all were friendly. Lescarbot was, may I say, along for the ride to inspire his writings. Is that Plymouth Harbor over there? Yes but, not the s...
77-Samuel de Champlain
February 23, 2016 05:22 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBThe fisherman of the world had been sailing across the Atlantic for years, some even trading European wares for firs with the Indians in Canada. Aymar de Chastes would beg from Henry IV a patent to colonize the New World. He formed a company with the more prominent among the merchants. Two small ships set sail one commanded by Francois Grave Du Pont and the other by Samuel de Champlain. Frenchman were again leaving their footprints on the North American continent.
76-Roanoke Colony
February 05, 2016 03:18 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBSir Walter Raleigh wanted to be a part of the colonization of the New World. He had the financial abilities to fund such a venture. And so with a patient in hand from the Queen of England, the voyages began to establish a colony on the shores of what they called Wingandacon, later called Virginia and today is actually the state of North Carolina. The settlement only lasted 10 months; the settlers were picked up by none other than Sir Francis Drake. If there was a Walmart there, we would have...
75-Francis Drake and One Last Effort
January 16, 2016 17:58 - 38 minutes - 26.9 MBThe battles of Gravelines pushed the Spanish back. Francis tried to pursue the survivors but the weather changed his mind. When Phillip heard that England was cutting the dragon loose, that being Drake, he had many of his sea ports fortified, Francis would soon realize the days of plundering were behind him. In the name of the Queen, I want your gold!
74-Francis Drake and the Gravelines Sea Battle
January 06, 2016 04:03 - 37 minutes - 26 MBThe fire in the eyes of Sir Francis Drake was not dead; he knew Spain was planning to attack England, but when? The Queen wanted a defensive war well; Francis wasn’t a defensive type of guy. He wanted to destroy the Spanish armada once and for all. The fight would come to England and in the age of sails sometimes it came down to the temperament of Mother Nature. “Hold on tight mates, here comes another gale!”
73-Francis Drake Visits Spanish Ports
December 11, 2015 04:58 - 40 minutes - 28 MBFrancis Drake had the abilities to have men flock to his side; they knew action was in their future. He also had the tactics to wage destruction to those who fought against him upon the high seas and had strategies to conquer coastal settlements. Francis was a thorn in the side of King Phillip; these next few assaults would only further his irritation.